KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan—On the afternoon of March 15, Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company held its fourth show at Kaohsiung County Government Labor Affairs Bureau. Dozens of dancers and thundering drums weave ancient stories that take the audience to another world!
A group of over 300 people, led by Kwung Lihchen, magistrate of Taitung County, arrived at the venue after a five-hour drive. In addition to private cars and trains, the group rented five buses.
Taitung is the third largest county in Taiwan and is known for its preservation of indigenous culture. It holds the largest population of any county of native Taiwanese. The enthusiastic people of the county carried their cheerfulness to Kaohsiung County. Upon arrival, the group displayed a banner they brought, reading “Welcome America’s Shen Yun Performing Arts to Taiwan and [we] wish you a sucessful tour.”
Among the group were Chen Chiange, mayor of Taitung City and Hsieh Mingchu, county councilor. Also Cheng Lie, a former magistrate of Taitung County,
“Through music and dance, the performance purified and beautified life. It is truly worth promoting. Just now, the emcees mentioned that Shen Yun is staging more than 300 shows around the world. I think it should be expand further,” said Mr. Cheng, who was a magistrate from 1985 to 1994.
“Shen Yun is performing in many places around the world. The shows time in Taiwan isn’t too long. That’s why 300 of us came to join this grand celebration. I hope one day Shen Yun will come to Taitung.”
More than 10,000 tickets for over seven shows in Kaohsiung County were sold. Ms. Kwung said: “It is because of its expression of world peace. Cultural arts can nurture hearts. A while ago, the emcees just mentioned that music was medicine, and I absolutely agree with that.”
Taitung Mayor Chen Chiange and his wife Cheng Chenyun were both deeply touched. Mr. Chen said: “It was astounding. Shen Yun performers’ dance gestures and countenances were all superb. I could feel their vivacity.
“Shen Yun conveyed cultural ideals that are shared by Chinese, Asian, and even everyone else in the world. They [the performers] wanted to replace violence and military with peace and culture. The show can purify the heart and encourage people to think of others first.”
Ms. Hsieh said: “Everyone was very absorbed in the show. I could feel the performers’ dedication. It was absolutely magnificent. Every program was superb. Shen Yun performance combined historical culture and current events to convey good Chinese traditional cultural values and morals, such as filial piety in the program Mulan Joins the Battle. Mulan was loyal to her country. She knew literature and dance, she was gentle yet strong. Her courage to replace her father in joining the battle brought a positive message to society.”
Mr. Cheng said that through dance and music, people’s hearts could be purified and spirits were uplifted. Shen Yun programs are worth promoting around the world, and it should continue to expand.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of the Shen Yun Performing Arts 2009 World Tour. For more information please visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
